Artist of the Week

Artist: Emma MoranArtform: Dancer

What do you do and what are your main focuses?I am predominantly a contemporary dancer although I love and mainly take ballet classes. I also love to choreograph and have had the chance to choreograph for some great youth groups in Australia. Finally, I am a Cecchetti Ballet teacher and teach at a few schools across London.

Where have you studied?I am originally from Sydney, Australia but have lived in London for 2 years now. I began dancing at my Mum’s studio in Sydney, where we did a bit of everything; ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop. I began my professional training, studying full time classical ballet, at Alegria Ballet Studios. I then moved to England to study at Northern School of Contemporary Dance. In 2014 I moved back to Sydney to join Sydney Dance Company’s inaugural Pre-Professional Year. And in 2015 I did the full circle, going back to my Mum’s studio to gain my Maestro Cecchetti Diploma and my teaching qualifications.

Tell us a bit about the improvisation in your example video!I love to improvise! When I first went to NSCD it totally terrified me - to me improvisation was something you only did in baby ballet. Now, improvisation for me is the best way to; create new movement, warm up, get to know a new group of dancers, express yourself, grow confidence in students and relax.Why do you dance?Dance encompasses everything I want to do in my life. For me it isn’t just one thing, it’s a whole variety of opportunities that I can explore for the rest of my life. Whether it be dancing onstage to choreographing for others or teaching students, dance is so varied in it’s possibilities and for me at the moment I’m lucky enough to be able to dip my toe into all of these aspects.

Who are you influenced by?The people around me always influence me, when you are working with a group of dancers they give off an energy and the whole group is able to feed off this. It’s the same with students; they can bring new ideas that make you think about something in a totally different way.

What is the most exciting thing you’ve done to date?The most exciting show I’ve ever been a part of is Opera Australia’s ‘Aida’ on Sydney Harbour. This was an incredible show of opera singers, dancers & actors incorporated camels & fireworks all on a floating stage on Sydney Harbour. The set, costumes and sheer organisation of the whole thing is incredible.

What is more important, talent or hard work?Plenty of people have talent, hard work is what makes the difference between people who plateau and people who continue to grow.

Have you ever failed at something and what happened as a result? What advice would you give to people as a result of that experience?I don’t think you can fail at anything within contemporary art. Everything is so subjective and everything is an opportunity to learn & grow. I wouldn’t have seen half the cities & towns in Europe that I have if I hadn’t ‘failed’ at an audition and spent the rest of the day exploring. Every disappointment is an opportunity to learn.

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to become a dancer?​You just have to keep trying and not pigeonhole yourself. There are so many opportunities out there you just have to be open to new ideas and you will eventually find your niche.